BANKSVILLE, N.Y. -- A dog is still missing after a fire destroyed a million dollar home in Banksville.

The fire occurred on early Friday morning, Dec. 27 at 8 Hobby Farm Drive in Banksville, a hamlet in the Town of North Castle. Banksville Fire Chief Al Farquhar said the fire was deemed accidental and caused by a shorted light fixture next to some curtains.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene a little after 3 a.m. Farquhar said. Because of heavy fire on the first floor, they were unable to make an interior attack and had to fight the fire from the outside, Farquhar said.

The couple who was home at the time was able to escape with one dog, but another dog who was home at the time was not found. North Castle Police and Farquhar said today the dog remains missing.

A water supply was established from a pond on Banksville Avenue. Banksville was assisted by fire departments in Armonk, Bedford, Bedford Hills, Mount Kisco, Somers and Greenwich. The North Castle Highway Department brought salt to help with the ice conditions while North Castle Police helped with traffic, Farquhar said.

"The cold was treacherous," Farquhar said. "When the water hit the ground, it turned to ice. We had to be extra cautious."

Farquhar said Banksville firefighters were there for six hours and it took two hours to extinguish the blaze.

Farquhar said 80 firefighters assisted in fighting the fire.

According to LoHud.com, officials said the fire appeared to have started in a first-floor living room in the 5,000-square-foot structure. The home’s roof collapsed due to the damage.

According to zillow.com, the house was sold in July 2011 for $1.95 million. It has five bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms on a 2.77-acre lot. It was built in 1991.

Comments (2)

Sam I want to thank you for writing about this. Awhile back my cat Cody went missing (he still hasn't returned :() and the Daily Voice was such a great way to raise awareness. So many people knew to be on the lookout because of your article. Thanks for doing such a great community service.